§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has been officially informed of the agreement of the directors of Newton Chambers Limited to the request of employees of its subsidiary, Ransomes and Rapier Limited of Ipswich, to reconsider the proposed closure of the latter's works; and what steps his Department has taken to ensure that both the spirit and text of Industrial Relations Code of Practice will now be observed by management with particular reference to prior consultation with employees before taking the final decision.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe Group Chairman and Group Managing Director of Newton Chambers Limited came to see me at their request on 20th July. The relevant provisions of the Code of Industrial Relations Practice were discussed and I am satisfied that the Board of Directors is fully aware of its obligations under the Code.
I understand that at a further joint meeting on 21st July the management side undertook to consider any practical submissions which the trade unions might wish to put forward about the proposed closure and to have continuing consultations with them.